Entire apartment

Observatory House & Apartment

Photo gallery for Observatory House & Apartment

A historic stone building with multiple chimneys, a central arched entrance, and a staircase leading to the main entrance. - Observatory House & Apartment (Edinburgh)
A window view of a classical building with columns, a lock on the window, and a plant in the foreground. - Observatory House & Apartment (Edinburgh)
A hallway leading to a dining area with a table set for four, a potted plant on the windowsill, and a radiator on the wall. - Observatory House & Apartment (Edinburgh)
A terrace with a table set for a meal, overlooking a historic building and a tower. - Observatory House & Apartment (Edinburgh)
A four-poster bed in a room with a rustic ceiling, white walls, and a large mirror on one wall. - Observatory House & Apartment (Edinburgh)
A short walk from Royal Mile and Princes Street, Observatory House & Apartment provides laundry facilities and more. Stay connected with in-room WiFi.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire apartment

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8200 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer

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About this property

Observatory House & Apartment

  • Summary:

    ✔ Expansive house nicely nestled on Calton Hill

    ✔ Extraordinary views on all sides

    ✔ 2152ft2 | 200m2

    ✔ 3 bedrooms

    ✔ 3 bathrooms

    ✔ Completely furnished kitchen

    ✔ Cosy garden

    ✔ 13-minute walk to Scott Monument

    ✔ St Giles cathedral is a 16-minute walk

    ✔ 20-minute walk to Edinburgh Castle

    ✔ Edinburgh Waverley train station is a 10-minute walk



    The Space:

    This expansive holiday home blends historic charm with modern comfort across multiple levels. It features four bedrooms, including three with flexible king beds and one with a sofa bed, plus three bathrooms with luxurious baths and showers. Guests can relax in two lounges with smart televisions. The property includes a bespoke main kitchen and a convenient lower level kitchenette. Dining is a unique experience in the historic Gothic Tower, which offers panoramic city views and seats eight. Outside, a tranquil garden and terrace provide additional seating for eight. The home is fully equipped for families with linens, towels, and high speed wireless internet.



    Guest Access:

    ● Guests will have full, unrestricted access to the House. Due to its unique location (on the summit of Calton Hill - 105m above sea level), there is no parking available directly outside the House; however, luggage drop-off by car and food van deliveries are permitted via the Calton Hill access road.

    ● The property is on the ground floor.

    ● There are two flights of stairs within the property.

    ● Observatory House was built over 200 years ago and although the City Observatory site itself is wheelchair accessible, unfortunately the House is not due to steps and staircases which cannot be ramped.

    ● The House and Apartment both have steps and staircases to reach all rooms.

    ● The Apartment is self-contained on one floor without stairs, though a small flight of stairs is used to reach the front door.



    Check-in Information:

    A member of our team will welcome you to the property, give you a tour, and provide keys.



    The Neighborhood:

    Attractions within walking distance of the House include the National Gallery, City Art Centre, National Museum, Castle and many more. We’d also love to share our knowledge of the less-hyped Edinburgh, from the vibrant contemporary art galleries such as Talbot Rice Gallery and Dovecot to alternative ways to understand the city, like Black History walking tours and smaller, independent museums.

    Edinburgh city centre also boasts a wonderful array of restaurants and food options. For more of a local feel, Leith, Easter Road and Abbeyhill are just to the north and east of Calton Hill and have many small restaurants, bars, and coffee shops on offer. If you’d like to stay in and enjoy the House, small independent food shops and mini markets are close by, or online deliveries can drop food to you close to the House.

    Just a short walk from the front door, guests will find our acclaimed restaurant partner, Cafe Calton.



    Getting Around:

    ● The House can be reached in a number of ways, but please bear in mind that its unique location on the summit of the Hill does present some access challenges.

    ● On foot - Steps lead up the Hill from Waterloo Place and Royal Terrace. You will see Observatory House above you on the left as you reach the top of the steps. The entrance gate (signed Collective) is to the right, at the top of a final flight of steps.

    ● By bus - Regular buses stop on Waterloo Place and Royal Terrace – visit Lothian Buses or download their app to plan your journey.

    ● By train - Waverley station is a ten-minute walk away on foot. Please note there are steep steps on this route (we highly recommend getting a taxi if you have luggage) – visit National Rail Enquiries to plan your journey.

    ● By car - Due to its unique location, there is no parking available directly outside the House; however, luggage drop-off by car and food van deliveries are permitted via the Calton Hill access road. This road terminates approximately 100m from the House. The nearest Pay & Display car parking is on Regent Road or the Q-Park Omni.



    ✈ Nearest airport:

    26-minute drive to Edinburgh Airport



    Other Things to Note:

    ∗Please note the property is fitted with a noise-detection device.

    ∗Please note that JOIVY is not responsible or liable for any lost, misplaced or stolen items during guest stays.

    ⚡ In light of the current situation, we kindly ask our guests to consume electricity and gas mindfully. Please note we will add an additional charge for excessive energy usage.

    *If you need a travel cot or sofa bed linens, please let us know in advance or add this to your reservation from your dedicated boarding pass for an additional fee.

    *Please note this property is located at the top of Calton Hill, a popular tourist destination, and the hill can become quite busy during the day. Additionally, the house property is within an open public site containing a visitors' centre.

    *If you need a Travel cot or Sofa bed linens, please let us know in advance or add this to your reservation from your dedicated Boarding Pass.

    ∗Please note that а refundable damage deposit of £250 is mandatory and should be paid via card and before check-in. We inspect the property after you check out; if there is no damage, we refund the deposit within 2 days via bank transfer.



    Interaction with Guests:

    Collective is a charity with a mission to bring people together around art. From our home on Calton Hill, we support artists in presenting their new work to a wide audience. We work with local children and young people to provide opportunities for play and creativity at Collective. Observatory House is the oldest building on our site and part of the historic observatory which Collective redeveloped as a centre for contemporary art in 2018. All proceeds from the House support Collective’s charitable mission and work.



    This home is managed on behalf of Collective by JOIVY, which offers a wide selection of top-quality properties across Europe.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the apartment: WiFi

Kitchen

  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Unit size: 2,153 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

JOIVY wants you to have a fantastic stay, and we encourage you to see this property as a home away from home. There are, however, a few points we p...

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number EH-69756-F

About the neighborhood

Edinburgh City Centre, a neighborhood in Edinburgh, is home to this apartment. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Princes Street Gardens and Portobello Beach. Check out an event or a game at Murrayfield Stadium, and consider making time for Edinburgh Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed. Visit our Edinburgh travel guide
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Edinburgh, Scotland

What's nearby

  • A park with a pathway, benches, and trees. In the background, there are historic buildings and a clock tower.
    Princes Street
    1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • A large classical building with tall columns, surrounded by a grassy area with people walking and sitting.
    Calton Hill
    1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • A Playhouse theater with a Shrek Musical poster, a black taxi, and a tree in front.
    Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre
    3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • A cobblestone street lined with historic buildings, including a Gothic church and a classical building with arches.
    Royal Mile
    9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Omni Centre Edinburgh
    3 min walk - 0.3 km

Getting around

  • Edinburgh Waverley Station
    5 min walk
  • St Andrew Square Tram Stop
    7 min walk
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
    30 min drive

Restaurants

  • Wingstop
    5 min walk
  • Starbucks
    4 min walk
  • Pho Edinburgh
    6 min walk
  • John Lewis Cafe
    4 min walk
  • The Playfair (Wetherspoon)
    5 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Observatory House & Apartment pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Observatory House & Apartment?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Observatory House & Apartment?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Observatory House & Apartment located?

Located in Edinburgh City Centre, this apartment building is steps from Calton Hill and Princes Street. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre are also within 10 minutes. Edinburgh Waverley Station is only a 5-minute walk and St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 7 minutes.

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